Published: September 30, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Bahrain Travel Advisory and Bahrain Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Manama:
Building No. 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj District, Manama.
Tel: +973 1724-2700.
Hours of Operation: 0800 - 1700, Sunday to Thursday
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The OSAC Manama Chapter meets every 2-3 months in person and has a diverse membership, including U.S.-owned and joint-venture firms from the energy and service sectors, hospitality, and academia. Contact OSAC Manama or OSAC’s Middle East & North Africa team with any questions.
Bahrain Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Bahrain due to terrorism.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manama as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bahrain.
The Government of Bahrain and Ministry of Interior (MOI) monitor crime trends carefully and expend great effort to keep the peace via improved security and law enforcement capabilities to identify, deter, and neutralize emerging crime trends or threats. In 2022, the interior minister publicly announced a 30% drop in the overall crime rate. At the same time, anecdotal evidence suggests that crime is possibly underreported in some areas. Police Stations provide Community Service Offices/Directorates that encourage Bahrainis and non-citizen residents to file a report and request services. The Community Police will then act on the report depending on the nature of the problem.
The targeting of expatriates in Bahrain for crime is uncommon. Thieves and pickpockets are known to operate in the old market area. Harassment of women and sexual assault does occur, although not all victims report cases to the police. Other reported crimes include, but are not limited to, various types of immigration and residency fraud, ATM/credit card theft, prostitution, financial or phishing scams, white collar fraud, embezzlement, possession or trafficking of illegal narcotics, and property theft. Violent crime is extremely rare, and firearms are illegal in Bahrain. Incidents of theft from, or of, motor vehicles (sometimes in connection with “joyriding”) do occur as crimes of opportunity but are rare in guarded/gated residential communities.
Bahrain is a Muslim country; visitors must be mindful of local customs and traditions, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is illegal to drink alcohol or be drunk in public, or to drive under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is available at licensed hotels, restaurants, bars, and distributors. Expatriates living in Bahrain can obtain alcohol. They may not carry alcohol around, except to take it on the day of purchase from the licensed distribution center to their residence.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bahrain.
There have been no reported kidnappings or attempted kidnappings in Bahrain of a citizen of any country.
There are no treaties in force between Bahrain and the United States concerning international parental child abduction and custody cases. Bahraini courts may ignore child custody decrees issued in the United States.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manama as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bahrain, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
The following factors make for a dynamic security environment: a large expatriate community, including the large U.S. Department of War presence; violent opposition groups; frequent travel between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on the King Fahd Causeway; and the country’s proximity to Iran. Bahrain’s police and security forces are competent and capable counterterrorism partners and have received U.S. training.
There are two Department of State designated terrorist groups with a presence on the island. The Al-Ashtar Brigades (AAB) and Al-Mukthar Brigades are believed to be funded and supported by Iran. Leadership elements from both groups are provided safe harbor in Iran. The overarching goal of the two groups is to overthrow and replace the ruling Sunni monarchy.
Suspected militants have in the past instigated low-level violence against security forces using real and fake improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails. There are no reports of U.S or Westerners being attacked.
In the past decade, some members of the Sunni community have left to fight with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria as well as other Sunni militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq. There are no reports of government or non-government efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former violent extremists and returning foreign terrorist fighters.
Some anti-U.S./anti-foreigner sentiment does exist. However, previous terrorist incidents have not involved U.S. citizens, and foreign residents were not the primary target of extremist groups. All travelers should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Manama as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
In 2012, the U.S. Embassy designated specific areas, known as “red zones,” as restricted travel areas. In 2013, the Embassy introduced “yellow zones,” designated for daylight travel only. Find the current restricted travel areas map online.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bahrain. However, civil unrest can develop quickly and without notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstrations as they can be unpredictable.
Elections/Political Stability
Bahrain is a hereditary monarchy governed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince/Prime Minister Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Sunni Al Khalifa family has been in power since 1783. The constitution, ratified in 2002, established an elected lower house of parliament, the Council of Representatives, and an appointed upper house, the Shura Council. Elections for the Council of Representatives (COR) have occurred every four years since 2006. Bahrain successfully held COR elections in November 2022. The elections were orderly, and the embassy did not receive any reports of violence. There was a cyber-attack launched against public-facing election-related websites and government’s official news agency the day before elections. Bahrain quickly mitigated the hacking and disinformation attempt, and it did not impact the elections. It is believed foreign actors perpetrated the cyberattack. The next Bahrain general election is expected to be held in 2026.
Protests & Demonstrations
Among the Shia community, perceived economic and political disenfranchisement remain the primary drivers of dissatisfaction with the government that sometimes translates into protests and civil unrest. Opposition activity increases in February and March to mark the anniversaries of 2011 events. Spontaneous, small-scale, and peaceful demonstrations occur particularly at night, in predominantly Shia neighborhoods. These activities can be in response to local developments, calls for protests and the release of political prisoners, or regional developments. In the past few years, there have also been demonstrations protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Bahrain is a strong military and counterterrorism partner to the United States. Bahrain supports Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain which is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
There is some public anti-U.S./anti-foreigner sentiment in Bahrain. Considering ongoing tension in the region, all U.S. nationals should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Law Enforcement
- General Emergency Line: 999
- Fire Accidents: 997
- Illegal Narcotics: 996
- Casualty Bureau: 990
- Criminal Investigations (CID): 992
- Coast Guard (CGD): 994
- Traffic Police:199
- Traffic Hotline: 1787-22-87/22
- Violence against Women: 1787-0302
The Ministry of Interior is responsible for internal security and oversees police and specialized security units responsible for maintaining internal order; the Coast Guard is also under its jurisdiction. The Special Security Force Command (SSFC) is the paramilitary law enforcement arm and includes the riot police, SWAT, K9, and explosives team. The National Guard is responsible for protecting industrial installations and is a back-up to the police. The chief of the National Intelligence Agency, appointed by royal decree, reports to the prime minister. While the agency has arrest authority, it reportedly did not conduct arrests during the year.
Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Some uniformed enlisted MOI police forces are third-country nationals, including non-Arabic speaking foreign nationals. Officers and decision-makers are Bahraini. This mixture of nationalities and languages in the public safety field could present some command, control, and communication challenges. The Bahraini justice system contains aspects that may be unfamiliar to most U.S. travelers. Authorities can detain suspects for 48 hours without pressing formal charges, criminal court hearings are conducted in Arabic, and foreign nationals find themselves facing criminal charges for actions not commonly classified as crimes in other parts of the world, such as debt, drug consumption, political speech, debauchery, and using profanity.
Police Response
Bahraini police are generally professional and competent, although accusations of arbitrary arrest and police misconduct do exist. The police have leveraged technology and online applications to make improvements in customer service. For example, traffic accidents without injuries can be documented and reported via an MOI eTraffic application.
Customer service, response, and investigative skills may not be at a level expected in the U.S. English-language skills of first responders may be lacking. Depending upon traffic and other priorities, police response times in Manama could exceed 15-20 minutes. Response times can be even longer during local religious holidays (Ramadan in particular), on weekends, and/or during hours of darkness.
Major events may result in blocked roadways, further delaying responders. Nevertheless, police officers are generally professional, cooperative, and courteous when responding to U.S. citizen requests for assistance, particularly when assisting and adjudicating traffic accidents and infractions. Police officers, particularly patrol officers and traffic police, do not make traffic stops as often as police in the U.S., relying on an extensive network of cameras for traffic enforcement. Police officers often remain in certain locations as a visual deterrent, not necessarily to perform response or incident management functions. Most residential compounds occupied by expatriate personnel employ local security guards under contract with compound management. Most compounds have varying degrees of physical and technical security systems, including various types of access control, vehicle placards/stickers, barrier systems, CCTV, and other countermeasures.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Bahrain, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bahrain.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption during the year. The law subject’s government employees at all levels to prosecution if they use their positions to engage in embezzlement or bribery, either directly or indirectly. Penalties range up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Significant areas of government activity, including the security forces and the Bahrain Defense Force, and their off-budget government expenditures, lacked transparency. The privatization of public land for profit remained a concern among political opposition groups. Human rights advocates said that opaque and discriminatory employment practices, including nepotism, continued in the security forces, which rarely hired Shia citizens.
Cybersecurity
Bahrain takes cybersecurity seriously and, over the last few years, has been the victim of reported cyberattacks on government and media websites and on energy industry networks. Other scams targeting expatriates have purported to come from spoofed Bahraini government offices and phone numbers.
Several GOB agencies and offices have potential jurisdictional overlap when conducting cyber related investigations, this includes MOI’s Cyber Crimes Directorate, Financial Intelligence Directorate (FID), and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Local telecommunication companies utilize potentially “untrustworthy telecommunications equipment” for home internet packages.
Import/Export Restrictions
Ensure hand-carried and checked baggage do not contain contraband items. Items prohibited from importation include drones, asbestos, farmed pearls, drugs, live pigs, and used tires. Items restricted from importation include dangerous chemicals, wireless communication devices, medical equipment and medicines, daggers, weapons and ammunition, and various books, audio, and videos. Satellite phones must be registered. Find more information on the Bahrain Customs Affairs website.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
